SHALIKA ISHAN MULTIFACETED MUSICIAN HAVING REVOLUTIONARISED MUSIC HAS BEEN AWARDED FOR THE FEAT OF BACKING FOR THE MOST NUMBER OF VOCALITS AT PINNACLE OF FAME NOW UNDER THE NEW LABEL– By Sunil Thenabadu

SHALIKA ISHAN MULTIFACETED MUSICIAN HAVING REVOLUTIONARISED MUSIC HAS BEEN AWARDED FOR THE FEAT OF BACKING FOR THE MOST NUMBER OF VOCALITS AT PINNACLE OF FAME NOW UNDER THE NEW LABEL– By Sunil Thenabadu

The name “KeySha” is a fusion of two concepts: ‘Key,’ symbolizing the piano keys that serve as the foundation of musical expression, and ‘Sha,’ a personal and meaningful connection to Shalika Ishan, the artist and visionary behind the brand. Together, these elements create name  that  resonates with creativity, passion, and authenticity.

KeySha represents more than just music—it’s a gateway to a full orchestral experience brought to life by one man and one instrument. As Sri Lanka’s premier one-man show performer on a Single Synthesizer, Shalika Ishan transforms the possibilities of sound into a symphony, captivating audiences with his mastery. With over 20 years of experience, he redefines the boundaries of live performance in Sri Lanka and is a world-class artist who can perform internationally as well.

Like all musicians Shalika Ishan too score highly on openness which means they are usually curious, highly imaginative and considered valued .They also tend to be at a high ebb on the measure of social responsibility, indicating that they desire for fair outcomes having a general concern for others in society. Behind all the songs and music that we hear, there are some untold narratives such stories of those musicians who dedicated their lives to music. Stories of each of their career paths are identified by them. In a competitive and saturated industry like music, one needs a lot of luck to thrive. Persevering young Visharad Shalika Ishan  competent in vocal and organ is one who has established himself in the industry via his own talent having thrived effectively in the music industry been in  focus for over one and a half decades,  having commenced music just after leaving school  with innate talent without any hereditary affiliations. Shalika is a native of Deraniyagala, born to poor parents, apart from Father and Mother he has only a sister. Shalika has had his initial education in eight schools in his native village and in schools in the Kegalle district before moving to Ananda College Maradana for his Advanced level. Though from his very younger days he has had an fascination for music he was reluctant to request his parents to buy him any music instruments owing to their huge financial constraints. Shalika recollects how he made a musical instrument with hardboard copying them from the instrument he viewed in school. Of course, Shalika had abundant of innate talent for music though not having any hereditary music genes. Shalika possesses a robust passion and an appetite for music in an abundant magnitude. Any person with a passion for music in comparing to those in the annals of history in musical careers, there had been no stable income for one to start to embark upon this path. Many commence music as a passion but to transform passion into a career is a path through a vast strain and struggle, but Shalika had navigated over constraints with complete dedication and hard work which he knew was the only way to climb to stardom. The foremost characteristics needed to be successful musician are confidence, practice, ,modesty, perseverance, not giving up attitude which were all haunted by young Shalika Ishan who is a pleasing and an inspirational individual with down to earth, unassuming with utmost  modest attributes though at the zenith .Shalika is now domiciled in Moratuwa, is married, his spouse is Sachini Silva a University lecturer at University of Kelaniya in social science and criminology.

After leaving school with his desire for music allied with instinctive talent had joined Bellwood institute affiliated to the National Youth Services Centre to study various fields in music to develop skills with the ulterior motive to become a competent musician. Simultaneously Visharad Shalika had studied a diploma course for Sangeeth Visharada at Bhatkhande University, in Lucknow India in vocal and instrument to become a Visharad. Shalika’s professional career in music could be illustrated as a vocalist, musician, composer, lyricist, conductor, and a director of music. He is well known as a solo musician who has provided music perhaps to all singers in all television channels, one could not be challenged by any other musician for his solo accomplishment seizing this mammoth expertise. Shalika had directed music in several television, radio cum FM channels. Some of the programs for which Shalika backed up and presently backing are with the aid, of his band “SHALIKA with SHA” are “ Mal Bara Derana”, “Sirasa Sathi Aga Sadaya”, “Rupavahini Chakra Watiya”, “Rupavahini knowledge First”, “Nugasevana”, “Kedellaka Sandella”, ”Rhythm Chat”,”Thurunu Tharu”, ”Doramadalawa”,”Shanida Sadaya”,”Ridma Rathriya”,”Rasanandaya”, ”Hathdinnath Tharu”,”Kedellaka Sandella”,”Rhythm Chat”, ”Doramadalawa”,ShanidaSadaya”.”Ridmarathriya”,”Rasanandaya”,”Guruthalawa”,”Irida Ayubowan”,”Sindu Kochchiya”,”Sonduru Horawa”, “Sundara irida”, “Salmal Yaya”,”Supiri Hapana”, “Voice of Colombo”,”Sooriya Wimana”, “Muthu Palasa”, “Sixty Plus”, “Champion Star”, “Jeevithayata Idadenna”, “Ayubowan Sri Lanka”, “Band Show”.” Windaneeya Udesana” etc. which have been in all television channels in Sri Lanka perhaps the musician who had contributed so much at such a young age. In addition has contributed music to a number of teledramas as a music director like in “Le Neyo” ,”Ingi Bigi”,”Hinawena Balum Bola”, ”Loku Iskole Mahaththaya” , “Malu Amma”, “ Dekada Handa’ , “Don Hybrid”, “Avarjana” .” Neela Pabalu”,”Avurudu Sihina” Etc., such total musical impacts possibly no other musician has achieved in the annals of our archives.

Shalika had been entrusted to provide music for several documentary programs of the SLRC and other institutions for which he had received accolades, laurels, and awards. The hall mark of Shalika’s success could be attributed for his perseverance and dedication to any task with the ‘never give up attitude’ firmly instilled within himself. These attributes possessed by him are well known to related authorities in all television and radio channels who sans any fear delegate tasks even of huge magnitudes to him. Shalika is now well conversant through repetition in composing melodies and directing music with ease.

Shalika had composed and directed music for songs of famous Lyricists like Bandara Eheliyagoda, Rathansri Wijesinghe,Ven Rambukkana Siddartha Thera,  Mihira Sirithilaka etc  and for songs sung by Shashika Nisansala, Saman Lenin ,Dumal Warnkulasuriya, Krishan Erandaka. Rohan Shantha Bulegoda, Somasiri Medagedera. Viraj Bathiya etc., also had given a significant hand to boost many novice vocalists too.  Apart from the above programs in Rupavahini channels, Shalika had been invited to sing in the popular SLRC television program telecast SLRC in the  “Sihinayaki Re” dueting  with renowned Sithara Madushani where he performed commendably receiving accolades from the popular veteran presenter Mahesh Nissanka.

Shalika confesses he had not been guided by anyone to what he is today, he had studied playing musical instruments all by himself of course with innate endowment. Shalika has confidently added that by looking at someone playing an instrument one could learn as he did. One who had not gone behind opportunities but does not deny that he had got adequate chances and openings. Though he wanted desperately to own an organ when young he knew requesting the parents was not prudent as they were financially very frail. When very young he had drawn the picture of the organ in school music room on a sheet of paper, with hardboards from milk packets had made a  toy organ and sung believing he was accompanied by an organ, Now Shalika states that currently the organ he owns and plays is an exclusive, is one of two organs available in Sri Lanka .Though Shalika’s mother had sung songs to put him to sleep with the song ‘Rajamaduraka Ipadee sitiyanam” of Malini Bulathsinhala, mother had disliked Shalika following music. Though there are challenges in the music field Shalika is one who has a ‘snail’s pace’ slow journey not competing with any other musician. Shalika is never after greener pastures been satisfied with what he receives for a modest living.

During his tenure at the ‘National Youth  Services Centre’ he had got the opportunity to travel island wide, on music cum to explain human resource management strategies ,with money been not at all his emphasis. This experience has made him competent to provide music for any song he is requested to. There are many to whom he had composed music and for many teledramas too. To this at a television dialog , he had emphasised on behalf of all vocalists should be prepared to provide music for any song. Shalika stressed that any vocalist sings only his or her songs but he and other musicians have provided music for many artistes breaking rest sometimes all night. The benefits Shalika enjoys currently is because of his supreme sacrifices made. Shalika loves to work with children to teach them attitudes which should be the slogan of all to develop one’s country. Shalika in this regard added his endeavour is make the growing children with human virtues . But he was depressed as all old Childrens’ songs are sung by the present generation of children but not new creations, but he endeavours to compile some new Childrens’ songs to become hits.

Shalika is perhaps the solitary vocalist who could sing to his own music compositions and melodies to precision with his organ. At the same time, he had quipped also at television dialog that he had provided his solo music compositions for over twelve thousand male and female artistes. This he had searched in the you tube to prove, which he himself could not believe that accomplishment. Very modestly he had quoted that he cannot trace a single vocalist to who he had not backed music at television programs , which could well be a record to be encompassed in the Guiness Book of world records Shalika is closely knit to nature says people do not think they are all dying people. Also not satisfied with what they possess always dreams of greener pastures. To Shalika he adds he has no contest with other musicians. Shalika adds music is a universal language which illustrates life .